Are you cool being the 3rd wheel?

September 25, 2012

This is a guest post by Michael Glover, my twin brother. He lives in Wasilla, AK, with his wife Megan, and their 2 high maintenance cats. He is about to become a Father, loves CrossFit, and is emerging as a disciple of Jesus.

You know the coolest thing about doing this? You never need to pray, study the Word for your own inspiration, or God forbid, fast, (you might miss the after church social scene and the pats on the back that define you).

However, when you wear armor you haven’t proven, you do so minus the authority, anointing and relationship (with Jesus), that made that armor what it is today.

Why?

Because people are uncomfortable about being comfortable with who they are.

Growing up with a twin brother was the best thing that ever happened to me. (Besides God and meeting my wife). We were extremely competitive with each other, and we pushed each other to excel in everything we did.

He was my best friend, and my worst enemy. We could go from fighting each other, saying the worst possible things about the other, to hanging out again in a matter of minutes.

It was great.

However, even though we were twins, we each had different personalities. Where he was outgoing and funny, I was more reserved.

Instead of being challenged and insecure by it, I actually came to rely on it. Greg was my Aaron. Whenever we changed schools, had to speak with people or even check in at the airport, I let Greg do the talking.

I still do. He’s better at it, I tell him what I want, and he asks.

Wow. You’re pathetic.

No. I am just comfortable being me.

But…get me out on the baseball field and I became an entirely different person. I was aggressive, confident and successful. Why? Because I was in my comfort zone and as a result, I succeeded.

There is something powerful about realizing who you are, and accepting it. You lose that trying to be something you’re not.

In Acts 19, we find the story of 7 brothers of Sceva, who try to be something they’re not.

They watch what Paul does

They try and copy it

Demon teaches them the hard lesson

What happened? It worked when Paul did it?

They were doing it for the wrong reasons. Is it about impressing people?

They used armor they hadn’t ‘proved’. You cannot use the mantle, until you’ve proven yourself faithful, and walked a few miles behind the dude wearing it.

Used the wrong channel, “whom Paul preaches”. Do you connect with Jesus yourself? How often do the two of you talk?

Used Authority without the authority. If you’re not fulfilling your calling, your authority will never be authoritative.

Lacked relationship with Jesus. “Follow me”, you get to know Him, by following Him

Devils recognized Paul and Jesus by name. Do they recognize your name?

James, the brother of John was a part of the “inner circle” of Jesus. Along with John and Peter, they were privy to things the other disciples weren’t.

God used them powerfully.

Peter received the “keys” to open the door to the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 16:19)

He preached the first Holy Ghost message to both the Jews and Gentiles